"Let us come to particulars. What sorts of things that are bought with money, for instance, do you take most pleasure in?"
Rotha looked up, curious, questioning, wondering, pondering, very honest.
"I do not know what most," she said. "I take so much pleasure in everything. Books especially. And pictures I delight in. And—do not laugh at me, Mr. Digby! I always did,—I take pleasure in nice, pretty, comfortable, becoming, dresses and clothes generally. So do you, don't you?"
It went beyond Mr. Southwode's power of gravity, the quaint frankness of this speech; and he laughed. Rotha joined in the laugh at herself, but looked seriously for the answer.
"It is a comfort to talk to you," he said. "One can get at the point. And here we have it, Rotha. I think your liking of all the things specified is thoroughly justified and perfectly right; and as you suggest, I share it with you. Now comes the question. The word says 'whatsoever'; therefore it covers books and pictures and dresses too. Take then the homeliest instance. Are you willing, in buying a gown or a bonnet or anything else, to do it always, as well as you know how, to the glory of God?"
"How can it be done so?"
"Think. If this is your rule, you will choose such a bonnet or gown as you can best do your work—God's work,—in. Therefore it will not be chosen to give the impression that you wish to excite attention or admiration, or that you wish to impose by your wealth, or that dress occupies a large place in your thoughts; it will be such as suits a refined taste, such as becomes you and sets off your good qualities to the very best advantage; and it will not cost more than is truly necessary for these ends, because the Lord has more important work for his money to do. Perhaps I rather overrate than underrate the importance of good dressing; it is an undoubted power; but really good dressing is done for Christ, as his servant and steward equips herself for his service; but she uses no more of the Lord's silver and gold than is needful, because that would be unfaithfulness in stewardship."
"But that makes dressing a noble art!" cried Rotha. Her eyes had looked eagerly into the speaker's eyes, taking in his words with quick apprehension.
"Carry out the principle into all other lines of action, then; and see what it will make the rest of life."
"'To the glory of God.' The Bible says, eating and drinking?"